Searching for the best camping near John Day Lock and Dam, Lake Umatilla, OR? Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—John Day Lock and Dam, Lake Umatilla is surrounded by family-friendly activities. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Oregon camping adventure.
$40 - $45 / night
"The hostess was very friendly, the adjoining small state park I believe it is is very convenient for pet owners, and the location is overall gorgeous."
"There’s a highway and railroad tracks in the backyard and the same across the river. If you’re a rail-fan, you’ll dig it. But it never really quiets down, you get used to it a bit."
$13 - $74 / night
"It's the perfect spot if you are traveling across Oregon and need a nice place to stop before continuing to another state, or eastern Oregon.
The campground is relatively small."
"Found this place on the map while searching for a place to camp at the Washington/Oregon border."
$15 - $35 / night
"The pull-through sites run along the water’s edge, offering water views but smaller pads and tragically, blocking my view. There’s no shade but the breeze kept things cool enough."
"The edge of the pull-through RV spots follows the river and most spots have easy access to the 10-foot rock access to the water. We visited during the last weekend of July and it was HOT!"
$13 - $74 / night
"Right next to the John Day River great walking path along the River. Fenced dog park for your pet and free bicycles for use."
"There was several trails within the campground as well as trailheads around the perimeter."
"Dog-walking area. Distant traffic noise from I-84. I would stay there again in a heartbeat."
"Rufus itself is not a destination; we were in and out in one night, but we found the Rufus RV Park to be a peaceful and dog-friendly stopover."
"Quiet, clean with a great open, off leash area for dogs and full hookups. At the time of the writing they also have an awesome host!"
"The surrounding landscapes are ‘stunning’ and the peace and quiet, absolute.
While old, the restrooms and showers were very well maintained and absolutely immaculate."
"Great little swimming spot steps from our spot. Trains will come every hour and tracks are close to sites. A few wineries within a mile and one about .5 miles from spot."
"Parking next to water seemed like a dream, until your are awaked by the sound of a screaming train in your ear. For last minute locations, I would stop here again."
"This place is dog and kid friendly. It has beautiful green lawns that run from the parking lot to the beach. There is a train track close by and the 84 is also close by."
$24 - $38 / night
"5th wheel traveling with big family and multi age group kids:
I was able to reserve a spot in the B loop last minute to breakdown our trip to the Oregon coast and we were very pleased with our experience"
"Yes, there is highway noise, and some train noise, but there is basically no avoiding either one in the Oregon state parks in the Columbia River Gorge. "
TravelerFirst come first serve sites with fire rings. There is overflow camping in the lawn without a fire ring but with a picnic table. Restrooms are very clean and campground is well maintained. Winds can pick up in the canyon so be sure to have strong tent stakes. Right next to the John Day River great walking path along the River. Fenced dog park for your pet and free bicycles for use.
GuideStayed here on a job for at least some 6 months, absolutely loved it. The hostess was very friendly, the adjoining small state park I believe it is is very convenient for pet owners, and the location is overall gorgeous.
LegendWe were so glad we kept driving down this road until the very end. Along this road (Lower Deschutes Access Road- which is pretty bumpy but we did fine with our camper) you will pass several other campgrounds- Twin Springs, Jones Canyon, Beavertail Recreation Site, Rattlesnake Canyon- and then at the very end of the road, you will find Macks Canyon Recreation Site.
It was fairly empty when we arrived and we got an awesome site along the river, site 11. The view of the river was amazing and we watched lots of fishing boats and rafting boats go by. There is also a railroad track across the river and it was fun to watch the trains go by. No AT&T phone service here.
The only negative is that it can get super windy. At one point we were frantically trying to get our awning down from the Cricket and things were flying everywhere. The wind lasted about an hour and then things calmed down again.
From the end of the Lower Deschutes Access Road just above the campground, you can hike along the old railway line. Again, amazing views of the Deschutes and the canyon. We did about 5 miles road trip but you could go further.
One of my new favorite places to camp in Oregon!
TravelerThis beautiful campground was loaded with amenities. The gorgeous John Day River, was perfect for fishing, swimming, floating. There was several trails within the campground as well as trailheads around the perimeter. We brought our own bikes but if you don’t bring yours, they offered loaner bikes and there were little bike workstations on the grounds. Pet friendly! Including a fenced in dog area (about an acre) and doggie poo bags readily available. We have a truck with camper but the tent sites each had a solar panel to provide electricity for charging the essentials. The grounds must have been a farm originally and the campground designers did an awesome job of using the existing structures to add to the rustic nature and maintain the land’s historic relevance. Cottonwood Canyon surpassed our expectations, especially considering the very low price tag. I cannot recommend highly enough.
GuideSpent a fun weekend here. Site was easy to back into. Clean and level. Lots of shade and grass. Allows pets (on leash) fun little park for the kids and nice little beach for swimming.
TravelerJust a brief stop overnight en route to the Oregon Coast. Pulled in around 10:30pm, had a little difficulty finding the park entrance and had to turn around about 1/2 mile down the wrong road, but smooth sailing after. Read signs posted carefully, as there is another RV park close by. Pull through sites posed no challenge in the dark.
We didn’t hear the trains once we went to sleep, certainly not loud enough to disturb our rest. Our youngest slept in until 9:30!!
Grassy areas were nice and green, our daughter was thrilled in the morning to find a volleyball net just a few feet from our door. Our oldest walked down to the river, said it was a rocky beach with no sand and too windy to try to fish, but easy access to the river itself. We stopped at a nice fruit stand in the morning before hopping back on the freeway.
Park was clean. No complaints from us, we’d stop here again.
TravelerCcottonwood Canyon State Park Campground is a lovely, remote primitive camp experience. For the uninitiated, this means no electric sites, no running water, no flush toilets. Its also a rattlesnake habitat in Eastern Oregon's high desert biome, within 30 miles or so of The Dalles, a city marking the change in the Columbia River Gorge from high desert to wooded mountainsides. This camp ground us located deep in a canyon 15 miles from Wasco, Oregon. Before descending into the canyon, you'll see Eastern Oregon's classic golden wheatfields, then a wind farm, with scores of white windmills. The evening I arrived was the night before a full moon, so the setting sun over the canyon and the waxing moon gave a lovely glow to the sights. Unfortunately, my camera phone and photographer skills are lacking; sorry. If you love truly getting away from it all, as I do, you'll appreciate the absolute peace at Cottonwood Canyon. We arrived at dusk, late in July, and as is typical for the region, it was still 90 degrees. Fortunately, my summer tent is mostly screen, allowing the cool canyon breeze in, and it erects quickly and easily. It was full dark by the time I'd pitched it, and outfitted it with my airbed. Because of all the rattlesnake warning signs, I kept my dog leashed or tied out on a campsite-length cable. We parked across the campground from the pit toilets, which were not lighted, so bring a flashlight, cell phone, or lantern for inside the biffy. If this kind of camping appeals to you, you'll be rewarded with a quiet night of no traffic noise, only the sound of the nearby murmuring creek and the breeze in the trees. The other campers here were very quiet and respectful of the rules. The beautiful moonlight set one side of the canyon aglow and the clear sky was filled with stars. I didn't need my rain fly, so could enjoy finding the constellations as I lay in my tent. In the morning, I awoke just before dawn when my dog sat bolt upright and intently watched with me as an elk cow walked through our campsite. The fee here is $10 a.night, and worth every penny!
Here is the one caveat: as of this writing, (late July 2018) the loud diesel pickup truck that came through to empty trash bins at 6am was jarring. It was followed by the back-up beeping of heavy machinery by 6:30am, as work on a new building commenced near the campground. This was so unfortunate, and I pity the folks that had hoped to sleep in.
ScoutCute little campsite just off the highway tucked away next to Horse-thief lake. It is very windy due to its location in the gorge. The lake access and surrounding land is beautiful.
RangerWe stayed here in the off season, it’s first come first served parking, which ended up being really great for us. We got to park with a view of the river and away from other RVs. The spaces are large, there is a bathroom and showers on site. There is a nice walking path, and loads of grass and beach and places to walk your dog. We all had a very nice overnight experience.
If you're looking for pet-friendly camping options near John Day Lock and Dam, Lake Umatilla in Oregon, there are several great spots where you can enjoy the outdoors with your furry friends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near John Day Lock and Dam, Lake Umatilla?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near John Day Lock and Dam, Lake Umatilla is Peach Beach RV Park on the Columbia with a 4-star rating from 28 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near John Day Lock and Dam, Lake Umatilla?
TheDyrt.com has all 71 dog-friendly camping locations near John Day Lock and Dam, Lake Umatilla, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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